If there’s a time to indulge, it’s during vacation. Whether it’s a Michelin-star dinner or the full resort spa package, this is when you should treat yourself. But what if that seaweed body wrap stretches the limits of your budget?

It’s possible to pamper yourself without overspending if you know when to make trade-offs. Not every meal has to come with white truffle shavings. Find the parts of your vacation where you can compromise, and spend your money on what matters to you.

“It’s a lot easier to find a hotel for $200 per night in Manhattan on the weekend than in Brooklyn,” says travel writer Kristin Luna. The opposite is true in tourist-heavy destinations; hotels may give you a better rate if you check in on a weekday than on a Saturday.

Sightsee for free. Monuments like the National Mall and Notre Dame cost nothing. Many museums, like New York’s Guggenheim and American Museum of Natural History, offer free hours every week or are donation-based. Consider stuffing your itinerary with famous and free attractions. Skip paying for a guided tour by downloading maps to your phone and using the Wi-Fi at your hotel to research attractions before you head out for the day.

Go grocery shopping. For road trips, Luna says she and her husband prepare coolers full of meals to avoid fast food on the road. Food from home comes in handy at theme parks, where a small bite can cost as much as a full meal. Just check beforehand to make sure outside food is allowed. For bigger trips, visit local markets for snacks instead of eating out every time you get a little hungry. It’s similar to a technique you may use at home: Eat cheaply to save for special occasions. But unlike at home, your occasion may be once every day.

Get around like a local. Taxis and rental cars can be expensive. Take public transportation if you can, especially in big cities like London, Tokyo and New York. Research your options to see if there’s a stop near where you’re staying. And while you’re at it, find out the transit system’s peak times so you can avoid the stress of rush hour.

Of course, there are several other steps you can take to reduce vacation costs: